Current regulations require horses to be pulled from duty after four consecutive temperature readings indicating 95 degrees.

“Tourism officers will continue to monitor the temperature for two consecutive readings below 95 to determine if carriage tours can resume later today,” Riccio said.

Charleston is one of several Lowcountry counties under a heat advisory until 7 p.m. The National Weather Service says the heat index, a measure of what the temperature feels like, could reach 110 degrees.

The horses were allowed to return to duty later in the afternoon after readings showed the temperature had dropped below the threshhold.